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Maywood activists seek probe into alleged voter fraud

Community activists from Maywood plan to file a complaint with the L.A. County district attorney’s office today, seeking an investigation into voting discrepancies during last month’s city elections.

Members of the group, Maywood for Better Community, said some residents were unable to vote in the Nov. 3 election because someone had already voted for them. The group also alleges that some voters lived in other cities, such as Southgate and El Monte, and that other Maywood residents were allowed to vote more than once.

The allegations are centered on several candidates who ran for seats on the City Council. Members plan to hold a news conference at 11 a.m. in downtown L.A. to announce the filing.

“We are certain they committed voter fraud,” said Ramon Medina, a member of the group. “We have people who saw it.”

The group said it has video footage, photographs and signed affidavits by several witnesses. Marlene Mortley, 42, who served as a poll watcher, said she observed at least two people vote twice.

She said volunteers for one candidate campaigned less than 100 feet away from the polling place. Mortley she attempted to inform polling officials about what she had seen but was yelled at and turned away.

“It was hell,” Mortley said, adding it was her first time serving as a poll watcher. “I wouldn’t do that again, not with that kind of corruption, nope.”